New Wave Media

 

Buckling typically occurs during start-up and shutdown sequences as the thermal fluctuations cause pipelines to expand and contract, leading to problematic buckling along its length.

 

Traditionally, non-rotating cylindrical buoyancy modules have been installed along sections of the pipeline to reduce the weight and friction in that section and promote controlled bending. However, in certain conditions the modules have displaced seabed material to build ridges (berms) that have then restricted the lateral movement that the modules were installed to promote.

 

With that in mind, Trelleborg said it developed Rotating Buoyancy Modules that roll on the seabed that thereby reduces lateral friction, berm creation and allows repeatable and predictable pipeline behavior, eliminating rogue buckles and reducing axial walking in the pipeline.